Compartmented key holder

ABSTRACT

A compartmented key holder in which a holder, preferably constructed of plastic, has a plurality of compartments, each having an exposed surface with a slot therein communicating with a compartment; a slide member is provided for each of the compartments dimensioned for being received by the compartments and having an extension riding above the slot in each compartment together with a tab for carrying an individual key; by sliding the extension back and forth over the slot, the key is then recessed within an individual compartment and exposed as desired.

United States Patent 1191 Vogt [ COMPARTMENTED KEY HOLDER [76] Inventor: Kuno J. Vogt, 5854 Kantor Ct., San

Diego C lif 92122 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney-Richard K. MacNeill Feb. 26, 1971 [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A compartmented key holder in which a holder, pref- 211 App]. No.; 119,187

[52] US. 70/456 R erably constructed of plastic has a pl y of [51] I131. A473 29/10 partments each having an exposed Surface with a slot [58] Fleld of Search.................. 70/456 R, 457, 459, therein communicating with a compartment. a slide 70/456 B; 150/40; 24/3 K member is provided for each of the compartments dimensioned for being received by the compartments and having an extension riding above the slot in each [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,931,210 4/1960 Agee...

compartment together with a tab for carrying an indi- 70/456 RX vidual key; by sliding the extension back and forth 70/456 R over the slot, the key is then recessed within an indi- 70/456 R vidual compartment and exposed as desired. 70/456 R 70/456 R 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 2,076,895 Johnston 2,173,008 9/1939 Cheney 3,137,157 6/1964 Ralton.... 2,637,994 5/1953 PAIENIEDUET 1 6 I975 FIG.5

KUNO J. vOGT INVENTOR.

Wd/M COMPARTMENTED KEY HOLDER BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a compartmented key holder and more particularly to a compartmented key holder having a separate compartment for each key.

According to the invention, a key holder is provided which has a plurality of compartments each having an exposed surface. The key holder itself can be molded of plastic, for example. Each exposed surface has a slot therein communicating with the compartment. A slide member is provided dimensioned for being received by a compartment and having an extension extending through the communicating slot for moving the slide member within the compartment. A tab is provided on the slide member for carrying an individual key, each compartment being dimensioned for receiving a key. Hence, by sliding the slide member back and forth by the extension, the key can be recessed or exposed as desired. A further feature lies in the easy removability of the slide member carrying the key for removing the key as needed and retaining the remainder.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an impoved key holder having a plurality of compartments therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved key holder having a separate compartment for each key.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved key holder providing for easy removability of individual keys.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an improved key holder in which a selected individual key can be exposed for use.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved key holderwhich is inexpensive to manufacture and extremely durable.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the FIGS thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slide member associated with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a six-key holder; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an eight-key holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1, a key holder is shown at 11 having a plurality of compartments l2, l3, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Slots 18, 19 and 21 are shown in compartments 17, 12 and 13, respectively. Extensions 22, 23 and 24 are shown above slots 18, 19 and 21, respectively. A locking protrusion 26 is shown in proximity to slot 18. Limiting wedge 27 is shown in proximity to extension 22. Limiting wedges 28 are shown in proximity to slot 19 and limiting wedge 29 is shown in proximity to slot 21.

Referring to FIG. 2, a slide member is shown generally at 31 having a serrated extension 32 integral with connecting link 33 which, in turn, is integral with flat member 34. A locking tab 36 is integral with a circular connecting link 37 which passes through an orifice 38 in key 39 and, in turn, is integral with flat member 34. Referring to FIG. 3, a six-key holder, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is shown schematically.

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically an eight-key holder.

OPERATION Referring back to FIG. 2, although slide member 31 is integral; i.e., preferably molded in one piece, it can be seen that locking tab 36 is very thin and can be easily slipped over serrated extension 32 to install key 39. When this is done, the slide member is then received by one of the compartments with serrated extension 32 riding above the compartment in the slot. It is pointed out that connecting link 33 is shown exaggerated in FIG. 2 for purposes of clarity, but, in actuality, is dimensioned for a snug fit between the wall of the compartment surrounding the slot and the bottom surface of serrated extension 32 and the top surface of flat member 34. 7

Referring back to FIG. 1, a typical key installation is shown in compartment 17 where serrated extension 22 has been pulled back over limiting wedge 27 and can now be freely moved pulling its associated key within compartment 17. When in the fully recessed position, serrated extension 22 will ride over locking protrusion 26 which will, in effect, lock it in place. Serrated extension 23 and 24 are shown in this position. When it is desired to move the key out for use, the serrated extension 22 is then moved forward as shown until the key is exposed. Limiting wedge 27 limits the forward travel of serrated extension 22. The serrated extension can be conveniently lifted over its associated limiting wedge or wedges by a thumb nail which allows the key, together with its associated sliding member, to be removed when desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variation for an eight-key holder showing the necessary staggering of the compartments to provide an exposed surface for each compartment.

It should be understood of course that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. A compartmented key holder comprising:

a key holder body having a plurality of compartments therein, each of said plurality of compartments dimensioned for receiving a key;

a plurality of slots in said key holder body, each of said plurality of slots being in communication with a separate compartment;

a slide member in each of said plurality of slots dimensioned for being received on one side by its corresponding compartment and having an extension riding above the slot, said slide member having a tab for carrying an individual key;

a locking protrusion adjacent and rising above each of said slots for cooperation with the extensions on said tabs for locking said slide members in a recessed position; and

a limiting protrusion disposed in proximily to each of said slots for cooperation with said extensions on said tabs for limiting the movement of said slide members in said slots when exposing a key.

2. The compartmented key holder of claim 1 wherein:

said compartments are staggered for exposing surfaces thereof for accommodation of slots therein. 

1. A compartmented key holder comprising: a key holder body having a plurality of compartments therein, each of said plurality of compartments dimensioned for receiving a key; a plurality of slots in said key holder body, each of said plurality of slots being in communication with a separate compartment; a slide member in each of said plurality of slots dimensioned for being received on one side by its corresponding compartment and having an extension riding above the slot, said slide member having a tab for carrying an individual key; a locking protrusion adjacent and rising above each of said slots for cooperation with the extensions on said tabs for locking said slide members in a recessed position; and a limiting protrusion disposed in proximity to each of said slots for cooperation with said extensions on said tabs for limiting the movement of said slide members in said slots when exposing a key.
 2. The compartmented key holder of claim 1 wherein: said compartments are staggered for exposing surfaces thereof for accommodation of slots therein. 